Cauliflower Dry Curry

Cauliflower is one of the most loved vegetable by kids. Whatever the way it is cooked surely gobbled by kids. It may be gobi manchooriya, gobi tava fry, gobi pakoda or any curry with gobi, thats cauliflower.

I have tried a dry curry with Cauliflower and it tasted yummy. It goes well with almost all the main dishes like rice, chapatis, rotis, pooris or even dosas.
Simple spice and little Besan/kadale hittu/Chenna flour/Gram flour is added to gobi and tried as mild spicy dry curry.
Our friend Rajashree Vaidya is used to add besan flour to the curry, so that it binds the pieces well roasted nicely gives out a good aroma too.
Let us see some benefits of eating " Cauliflower " in our diet.
Cauliflower is good for hypertension. It is a good source of antioxidant and helps to  strengthen the immune system. It helps to support bone health, and good for brain. It gives a relief to indigestion and good for diabetes and balance the cholesterol levels. Cauliflower is an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Vitamin B -6, Vitamin B1, B 2, B 3 and Vitamin E. It provides vital minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, manganese. It is a rich source of protein and very low amount of fats.
Cauliflower Dry Curry has " No Onion " or " No Garlic " in it. It is very easy and simple to prepare.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Cauliflower : 1  Bowl (Medium Sized)
Oil : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Chilly Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Methi Seeds : 4 to 5 Seeds
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Besan/Gram flour : 2 Teaspoon
Garam Masala Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash cauliflower nicely and soak in warm water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the warm water. Leave it for 10 minutes.
2. Wash cauliflower again nicely with normal water. Keep it aside.
3. Wash curry leaves and coriander leaves and cut into small.
4. Keep a pan on the fire. Heat and put oil. Add mustard seeds, urid dal and methi seeds. Let mustard seeds splutter.
5. Add jeera/cumin seeds and ingh. Add curry leaves. Mix it well. Add washed cauliflower.
6. Reduce the flame to low. (Not very low). Stir nicely and add a pinch of turmeric powder.

7. Let it cook on low flame till it turn slightly soft. Stir in between.
8. Add salt, garam masala, chilly powder and mix it well. Let it cook for 2 minutes. Stir and mix the vegetable nicely.
9. Add 2 teaspoons of dry besan/gram flour/chenna flour on the top and slowly turn the vegetable pieces. Add cut coriander leaves.

10.. Let it cook nicely till golden brown. Now mix all the ingredients nicely and shift the ready cauliflower dry curry to a serving bowl. Serve with a main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Use of onions or garlic is optional. Adding any spice is optional. Example : chat masala. rasam/samabar powder, jeera -coriander powder, pav bhaji masala etc.Add of more oil is optional.
Time : 15 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.

Baragu /Proso Millet Laddu

Baragu / Proso Millet is one of the healthy grain. Millets are known for their nutritional and  medicinal values. I have tried these Laddus with Baragu/Proso Millet.

I have used Baragu/Proso Millet, dry coconut/copra, jaggery and little ghee.
These laddus are good to munch at any time of the day. You can pack them for kids snack box. Good for ladies kitty parties. Good to take it for travelling. Baragu/Proso millet is stomach filling and good for people who diet. People who are dieting should make use of this millet. (Reduce the ghee amount).
Let us see some benefits of eating " Millet " in our diet. 
Millets are known for their healthy values. They are rich in nutrients, Vitamins and minerals. They are rich with fiber. Millets are slow in digestion and good for people who are on diet food. Millets are rich in fiber and good for people who suffer from constipation problems. They are good for diabetes and obesity. They are rich with soluble and insoluble fibers. They contain minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium and healthy fats. 
Baragu/Proso Millet is known as Barri in Hindi, Panivaragu in Taminl, Varagu in Telugu and Baragu in Kannada Language.
Baragu/Proso Laddus are healthy laddus and you can have them any time of the day.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Baragu/Proso Millet : 2 Cups
Jaggery : 3/4 Cup
Sesame seeds : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Raisins : 2 Tablespoons
Cashew Pieces : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Cardamom : 5 to 6 
Ghee : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Dry coconut/Copra : 1 Small dry coconut.

Method :

1. Clean and dry roast Baragu/Proso millet on low and medium flame till they change the colour.

2. Dry grind coconut and keep it aside. Powder cardamom.

3. Dry roast sesame seeds till it starts to pop up. Powder roasted Baragu and sesame seeds.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and add jaggery. Add little water. (1/4 cup).
5. Let the jaggery melt nicely and starts to boil. Put off the fire and sieve the jaggery water with a strainer.

6. Put the clean jaggery in a pan. Keep it on the fire. Let it boil nicely till one string consistency.
7. Reduce the heat to low flame. Add dry ground Baragu and sesame seeds.
8. Add dry ground coconut and cardamom powder. Put off the fire.

9. Add ghee in a pan and heat. Add raisins and cashews and fry nicely. Put this fried dry fruits to the Baragu /Proso Millet mixture bowl.

10. Mix all the ingredients nicely and take a small portion. Prepare round shape laddu.

11. Baragu/Proso Millet Laddus are ready to serve.

12. Serve Baragu/Proso Millet Laddu at any time of the day.

Note :

Dry roast Baragu/Proso millet till the raw smell disappear. (Roast it on low flame). Adding more jaggery is optional. Adding more dry fruits is optional. Adding more ghee is optional. If the mixture turn dry and if you find difficult to prepare laddu, add little melted ghee and then prepare laddu. You can use hot milk instead of melted ghee is optional. But you can not store them for a long time.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves: 25 to 30 Laddu can be prepared. (According to the size).

Baragu /Prosso Millet Laddu Preparing Video...: 

Toor Dal OR Moong Dal & Tamarind Tokku/Chutney Tovve

Tovve is one of the side dish prepared using dals and simple spices. Varieties of dals can be prepared using different dals. Dals/Tovve is served in the beginning while serving. Dals proved energy and proteins.

I have used Ridge Gourd, Moong dal and fresh tamarind (green and tender tamarind) tokku/chutney.
Tamarind tokku/chutney is very famous in Karnataka/India and is favourite chutney in North Karnataka. We got this tokku from Vidya Ravi's (our daughter in law) Aunt Smt. Mala who lives in Dharwad. Our famous poet Who got Gnana Peeta Award for his Book Naaku Tanti "Dattathreya Ramachandra Bendre" is from Darwad. Darwad is very famous for many Classical singers and poets. (Karnataka/India).
Tamarind tokku is very spicy dish and the people from North Canara loves to have spicy chutneys while having food. They do eat green chilly even the hotter ones.
The way of preparing Green Tamarind Tokku/Chutney is very interesting. Green tamarind is collected, peeled of the outer hard cover and grind it with green chilly, a very little methi/fenugrik seeds and salt. No water is used while grinding. After the grinding tokku they remove the chutney from the mixi jar and put the ground mixture in a air tight bottles. Some even add the seasoning. But remember by adding the seasoning the oil starts to give a bad smell and the chutney does not taste fresh.
Dall is a simple food which has carbohydrates, proteins and other minerals. Some time we do add some vegetables and prepare dals. Here I have added Ridge gourd to dall and prepared " tovve ",
Let us see the recipe now:
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this " Toor Dal & Tamarind Tokku/Chutney Tovve ". It is very simple, quick, yummy and healthy too.You can have this tovve with all themain dishes like plain rice, any masala rice, curd rice, idli, dosa, chapati, poori or any other type of rotis.

Things needed :

Moong dal : 1 Cup. (Small cup or 2 to 3 handful)
Tamarind Tokku : (Chutney) : 1 Tablespoon
Ridge Gourd : 2 To 3
Dry ginger powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Cooking Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 2
Jeera / Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A little
Salt : As Required
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Curry Leaves : 6 To 8 Leaves
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash dal and pressure cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Put off the fire and leave it for cooling.
2. Wash ridge gourd and remove the edges and outer layer and wash it again.
3. Cut ridge gourd into small pieces and keep it aside.

4. Wash green chilly, curry leaves and coriander leaves and keep it aside.
5. Keep a pan on the fire. Put ridge gourd pieces
6. Add a cup of water and cook on medium flame. Let it turn soft.
7. Add cooked moong dal, needed salt, turmeric powder, a tablespoon of tamarind tokku and mix it nicely.

8. Add dry ginger powder. Mix it well.
9. Add water if required and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Shift the curry to a serving dish.
10. Keep a pan and put oil. Put mustard seeds and urid dal. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add red chilly.
11. Add jeera/cumin seeds and curry leaves.  Add it to cooked dal.

12. Add cut coriander leaves, a table spoon of ghee and serve with main dish.

Note : 

Use of toor dal instead of moong dal is optional. Use of red chilly and fresh ginger is optional. Use of more/less chilly is optional. Use of ghee is optional. Adding onions or garlic to the dal is optional.
Time : 25 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Rava -Cabbage Rotti

Rava/Semolina Cabbage Rotti is good to have for breakfast or for dinner. Rava / Semolina is filled with carbohydrates and gives energy. It is slow in digesting so that you do not feel hungry for a long time. It is good for breakfast because it provides energy for the whole day since morning breakfast should be solid and filling one must remember.

I have used Chiroti/Thin variety of Rava/Semolina, onions and cabbage. Added some red chilly powder for the spicy taste. It is always better to use some vegetables while preparing these rotti because vegetable helps to ease the digest food easily.

Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Chiroti Rava/Semolina : 2 Cups
Curd/Yogurt : 1 Cup
Cabbage : 1 Bowl
Onions : 2 (Medium size)
Curry leaves : 10 to 12 leaves
Coriander leaves : 3 to 4 Tablespoons. (One handful)
Red chilly powder : 1 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Water : Required water
Oil : 4 to 5 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and cut cabbage into thin pieces and keep it aside.
2. Remove the outer layer of onions and wash it. Cut into small pieces.
3. Wash coriander leaves and curry leaves. Cut into small pieces.
4. Now take a big bowl and put cut ingredients and semolina. Add red chilly powder.
5. Add required salt and curd. Add required water and mix it well. (Consistency should be like idli dough.

6. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Sprinkle little water and clean the tava with tissue or clean towel.
7. Now sprinkle oil on the tava and reduce the flame. (Let it be low).
8. Take a handful of dough and spread it on the tava. (In a circle shape).
9. Sprinkle little oil on the top, cover and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. (On medium flame).

10. Turn the other side and cook for a minute. (Let it cook nicely).
11.  Hot " Rava -Cabbage rotti  "is ready to serve.

12. Serve with the side dish of your choice. We had it with fresh ghee and chutney powder.

Note :

Take care while adding water. Dough should not be too watery. Use of medium size rava is optional.
Use of any vegetables or leaves is optional. Use of green chilly instead of red chilly powder is optional. Use of butter instead of oil is optional. Use of  coconut is optional. ( I have not used coconut here). Use of curd is optional. Use of more onions are optional.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3. 

Carrot & Potato Mosaru Bajji (Raitha)

Carrot & Potato Mosaru Bajji/Raitha is a side dish. Mosaru is curd/yogurt. Having curd during summer helps to keep the body and mind cool.
I have used carrots, boiled potato, green chilly and some coconut gratings.

Let us see some benefits of using Curd/Yogurt in our diet.
Curd/Yogurt/Mosaru/ Tairu as it is called is a dairy product and contain many health benefits. It is also used as beauty aids for having fair complexion. It is also said that curd is more beneficial than milk because of it fermentation. Curd is filled with nutritional content. It contain fat, carbohydrates, protein, sodium, potassium and Vitamin A, D, and B - 12. It has a rich source of calcium and magnesium. Using curd is good for digestion and it helps the bones and teeth strong. Curd is good for healthy heart and it is used for beauty products. Curd removes dandruff because it has lactic acid and it is has anti fungal in nature. Curd act as immunity booster. So it is always better to use curd/yogurt in our diet.
Let us see the recipe Now : It is simple, healthy and quick dish. It is very nice and tasty dish goes well with plain rice/any masala rice, chapatis or any type of rotis.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this recipe. 

Things Needed :

Carrots : 2
Boiled Potato : 1
Green chilly : 2
Grated coconut : 1 Tablespoon
Dry Ginger powder : 1/4 Teaspoon
Curd : 1 Cup
Salt : As required
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Methi Seeds : 2 to 3
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Oil : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander Leaves : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1.Wash and scrape out the outer layer of carrots and grate it.
2. Wash and boil potato and remove the outer layer of potato.
3. Smash potato and mix it with grated carrots. Grate coconut and keep it.
4. Add green chilly, dry ginger powder, salt and grated coconut.

5. Add a cup of curd and mix it well. Shift it to the serving dish.

6. Add mustard seasoning and cut coriander leaves.

7. Carrot & Potato Mosaru bajji is ready to serve. Serve with any main dish our your choice.

Note :

Boil the potato nicely so that it adds with all the other ingredients. Use of Majjige Menasu is optional. Use of onions and garlic is optional. Use of any cooking oil is optional. ( I have used coconut oil ).
Time : 10 Minutes 
Serves : 2 To 3.

Pav Bhaji : My Style

Pav Bhaji is one of the famous street food which is liked by so many around the world. Spicy, filled with veggie and yummy Pav Bhaji is always loved and invited by the hungry stomach. Its healthy and stomach filling food too. Pav is nothing but a bun (a special type of bun) and bhaji is spicy curry.

Here is a simple, quick and yummy " Pav Bhaji " and I have used vegetables, some spices/masala and Pav is heated on tava with little butter. I am sure we fall love in having Pav Bhaji and definitely prepare this evening.
You can have this Pav Bhaji for the breakfast (tummy full), as snack in the evening time or for dinner.
Remember to use less spice which helps to keep you fit and fine. It is always better to use less spice because you may feel not only thirsty and lazy, spice effect cause chest burn and other problems because of more spice in the curry.
No Onion or Garlic is cooked in this " Pav Bhaji ". (Cut onions are used as raw to add it to the curry. Purely Optional.
Use of pressure cooker to cook vegetables because it helps to retain health content in vegetables.
Lets see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

To Pressure cook :
Carrots : 2
Potatoes : 2 to 3
Peas : 1 Bowl
Tomatoes : 2
To Add :
Pav Bhaji Masala (Mayyas) : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera Seasoning : 1 Tablespoon
Grated Ginger : 1 Teaspoon
Salt : As Required
Turmeric powder : 1/4 Teaspoon
Chat Masala : 1/2 Teaspoon
Butter : 1 Tablespoon
Coriander Leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Lemon : 1/2 Lemon extract.

Method : 

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of all the vegetables. Cut into small pieces. Slit green chilly.
2. Wash fresh peas. Now put cut vegetables and peas to pressure cooker.

3. Add little water to the vegetables and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
4. Remove the lid once the pressure cooker is cool.

5. Add salt, turmeric powder, pav bhaji (Mayya's ), jeera powder and smash the vegetables nicely.
6. Add very little water and cook for 2 minutes. Add grated ginger.

7. Mix it well.. Let it cook for a minute.
8. Keep a small pan and put oil. (1 Tablespoon). Add slit chilly and fry nicely.
9. Add this to cooked Bhaji and mix it well.

10. Add 1/4 Teaspoon of chat masala and mix it nicely. Add a tablespoon of butter and let it melt.

11. Mix bhaji nicely and put off the fire. Shift the ready curry to a bowl, Add coriander leaves and 1/2 lemon extract. .

12. Cut Pav in the middle and put it on a hot tava. Put little butter on each side.
13. Let it turn slightly golden brown. Put it on a plate.

14. Serve Pav bhaji with cut onions on the side. (Or put some cut onions on the top of bhaji).

Note: 

Use of pressure cooker is optional. You can use a tava to mix all the ingredients nicely. Smashing the vegetables is an optional. Adding more spice is optional. Mild spice is always better. Use of cut onions on the side is optional. (You can use cucumber pieces instead of onions). Adding more/less butter is optional. Butter not only adds to the  taste helps to reduce the spicy taste.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 4 to 5 .